Winners of the Weengushk International Film Festival include some familiar names, like actors Graham Greene and Ryan Reynolds, and all will be honoured during the festival itself, which runs July 14-16 at the Four Directions Complex in Little Current on Manitoulin Island..
Ryan Reynolds will be given an humanitarian award. Graham Greene has won the Clearing The Path Award presented to an individual “who has taken bold steps to improve diversity and inclusion through an innovative approach that promotes and provides stifled youth voices in mainstream media” reads a release from Weengushk. Both actors will make video appearances at the event.
The Weengushk International Film Festival is a not-for-profit, Indigenous-run independent film festival and cultural event that features award winning and burgeoning filmmakers as well as Indigenous leaders; this year there will be 57 films, five workshops, and four musical performances on offer.
The awards show will take place July 16 and Weengushk will honour the outstanding contributions of the people they call “cultural icons, builders, and trailblazers.”
Hosted by Indigenous youth Nyala O'Connor and Maria Cheechoo, the awards gala will include in person presentations from musicians Derek Miller and Murray Porter, Miss World Canada 2022 Emma Morrison, multidisciplinary artist Courtnee Osawabine and more.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Youth: Celebrating their experiences, journeys and remarkable accomplishments.”
The festival events are inspired by artistic director Shirley Cheechoo’s life's work, and dedicated to providing a safe space for youth to learn about their culture, land, language and to find their voice and share their experiences through storytelling.
The 2023 WIFF Award Recipients include:
- Award of Excellence: Mason Wesley (Thunder Bay Northstars)
- Blake Debassige Emerging Artist Award: Courtnee Osawabine
- Builders Award: Kendal Netmaker (entrepreneur, author)
- Clearing The Path Award: Graham Greene
- Culture Enrichment Award: Derek Miller
- Humanitarian Award: Ryan Reynolds
- Humanitarian Award: Barry & Laurie Green (Barry and Laurie Green Family Charitable Trust)
- Icon Award: Murray Porter
- Joshua Yesno Tribute Award: Shannen Koostachin
- Legendary Award: Keith Secola
- Spirit Award: Theland Kicknosway
- Youth of Distinction Award: Emma Morrison
You can find more information by visiting weengushk.com.
